Illuminating surgical device and control element

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of claimed subject matter are directed to an illuminating surgical device comprising a single control element to control an array of illuminating elements and an array of louvers to direct light from the individual illuminating elements toward a surgical field.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This disclosure relates generally to the field of surgical devices and,more particularly, to one or more approaches toward controllingillumination of a surgical device to illuminate a surgical area ofinterest.

2. Information

While performing a surgical procedure, a surgeon may utilize aretractor, which may permit the surgeon to draw lateral and deep layersof tissue away from underlying features. Responsive to the drawing orretracting of lateral and deep layers away from underlying features, asurgeon may focus his or her attention on, for example, repair,manipulation, and/or replacement of body organs, and other anatomicalstructures including, but not limited to, soft tissue, nerve, venous,arterial, tendinous, and bony structures, and/or may perform numerousother surgical procedures.

However, at times, a surgical instrument may bring about shadowing oflight from an overhead source that is intended to illuminate a surgicalarea of interest. Additionally, other sources of blockage of overheadlight may include the surgeon's head, body, and/or hands, for example,and/or one or more body parts of an assistant. Further, otherinstrumentation in and around the surgical field may obscure thesurgical field from the surgeon's view. Accordingly, a surgeon may berequired to reposition surgical instruments or overhead lighting or maybe required to wear a headlamp so as to provide a clear, illuminatedview of a surgical area of interest.

In many instances, light from an overhead source may be tightly directedtoward an area of interest. However, since there may be a large distancebetween surgical instruments and an overhead light source, directedlight may introduce optical artifacts, such as shadowing and glare onspecific surfaces, which may reduce the visual quality of theilluminating area. Thus, the surgeon may reposition the surgicalinstrument or shift his or her position in a manner that reduces and/oravoids glare from overhead light sources. Accordingly, virtually anyobject that is between the light source and the surgical area beingviewed may diminish the light in the surgical field hindering theability of the medical personnel to visualize the important areas.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

Briefly, particular implementations may be directed to an illuminatingsurgical device comprising a substantially two-dimensional array ofilluminating elements, which may function or operate to direct lighttowards a surgical field. In an embodiment, a single control element ofthe illuminating surgical device may be utilized to control theintensity of light from the two-dimensional array of illuminatingelements and to control the placement of the illuminated surgical field.In an embodiment, a single control element of an illuminating surgicaldevice may be movable along a first axis to control the direction oflight from the two-dimensional array of illuminating elements parallelto the first axis. In an embodiment, the single control element of anilluminating surgical device may be movable along a second axis tocontrol the direction of light from the two-dimensional array ofilluminating elements parallel to the second axis. In an embodiment, asingle control element of an illuminating surgical device may be movablealong a third axis to control intensity of light from thetwo-dimensional array of illuminating elements, the third axis may besubstantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis. In anembodiment, movement of a single control element of an illuminatingsurgical device may operate to control a plurality of louvers, thelouvers may be operable to control the direction of the light from thetwo-dimensional array of illuminating elements. In an embodiment,depressing the single control element of the illuminating surgicaldevice may function to bring about a change in intensity of light fromthe two-dimensional array of illuminating elements. In an embodiment,depressing of the single control element name bring about at least onestep, of a plurality of steps, in the intensity of light from thetwo-dimensional array of illuminating elements.

In embodiments, an illuminating surgical device may comprise a circuitto extinguish the illuminating surgical device based, at least in part,on inactivity of the device over a duration. Illuminating elements of anilluminating surgical device may comprise organic light-emitting diodes.

In an embodiment, a surgical retraction device may comprise anillumination layer to accommodate an array of illuminating elements togenerate light to be directed toward a surgical area. The surgicalretraction device may further comprise a control layer to modify theplacement of an illuminated surgical area relative to the array ofilluminating elements or to modify the intensity of light from the arrayof illuminating elements, or to control a combination thereof, using asingle control element. In an embodiment, a surgical retraction devicemay comprise a two-dimensional array of illuminating elements. In anembodiment, a single control element of a surgical retraction device maybe moved along a first axis to control the direction of light from thearray of illuminating elements parallel to the first axis. In anembodiment, the single control element may be moved along the secondaxis to control a direction of light from the array of illuminatingelements parallel to the second axis. In an embodiment, the singlecontrol element of the surgical retraction device may be moved along thethird axis to control it the intensity of light from an array ofilluminating elements. In an embodiment, a single control element of thesurgical retraction device may control intensity of light from the arrayof illuminating elements in a series of discrete steps.

In an embodiment, a surgical retraction device may comprise means forilluminating the surgical area, means for controlling placement of theilluminated surgical area along a first axis and a second axis, thefirst and the second axis to be substantially perpendicular to oneanother, using a single control element. The surgical retraction devicemay additionally comprise means for discretely varying the intensity oflight illuminating a surgical area using the single control element. Inan embodiment, the means for illuminating a surgical area may comprise atwo-dimensional array of organic light-emitting diodes. In anembodiment, means for controlling placement of the illuminated surgicalarea along a first axis may comprise a cable linkage from the singlecontrol element to louvers placed proximate to the means forilluminating the surgical area. In an embodiment, the means forcontrolling placement of the illuminated area along a first axis maycomprise a stepper motor which, responsive to movement of the singlecontrol element, may operate to modify the position of the louversplaced proximate to the means for illuminating the surgical area. In anembodiment, the stepper motor of the surgical retraction device mayoperate to adjust an angle of one or more louvers, of an array oflouvers, with respect to a plane of a two-dimensional array of organiclight-emitting diodes.

It should be understood that the aforementioned implementations aremerely example implementations, and that claimed subject matter is notnecessarily limited to any particular aspect of these exampleimplementations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctlyclaimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, both asto organization and/or method of operation, together with objects,features, and/or advantages thereof, it may best be understood byreference to the following detailed description if read with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a surgical retractor in use during asurgical procedure according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of a portion of the surgical retractor ofFIG. 1A according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general scheme toward constructing anilluminating surgical device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing details of the construction of asubstrate, spacing, reflective, and louver layer of an illuminatingsurgical device according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations showing details of the construction ofa louver control layer of an illuminated surgical device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing integration of individual portions ofthe illuminating surgical device of FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B according to anembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for a circuit utilized in an illuminatingsurgical device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a portion of an array of louvers of an illuminated surgicalretractor, which may be controllable to permit illumination to becontrolled from side-to-side according to an embodiment.

Reference is made in the following detailed description to accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals may designatelike parts throughout to indicate corresponding and/or analogouscomponents. It will be appreciated that components illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, such as for simplicityand/or clarity of illustration. For example, dimensions of somecomponents may be exaggerated relative to other components. Further, itis to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. Furthermore,structural and/or other changes may be made without departing fromclaimed subject matter. It should also be noted that directions and/orreferences, for example, up, down, top, bottom, and so on, may be usedto facilitate discussion of drawings and/or are not intended to restrictapplication of claimed subject matter. Therefore, the following detaileddescription is not to be taken to limit claimed subject matter and/orequivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “one feature,”“one embodiment,” “an example,” “a feature,” or “an embodiment” meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the feature, example or embodiment is included in atleast one feature, example or embodiment of claimed subject matter.Thus, appearances of the phrase “in one example,” “an example,” “in onefeature,” a feature,” “an embodiment,” or “in one embodiment” in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same feature, example, or embodiment. Furthermore, particularfeatures, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or moreexamples, features, or embodiments.

As previously described, a surgeon may utilize a surgical retractor todraw or pull away lateral and deep layers of tissue to expose one ormore underlying features of, for example, a human or animal body.Retraction of lateral and deep layers may permit the surgeon and/orother medical personnel to perform surgical procedures, for example,deep within a human or animal body. However, on occasion, polished,sterilized surgical instruments, such as a retractor, may produce glarefrom overhead illumination sources. Responsive to observing such glare,a surgeon may be required to shift his or her position and/or repositionone or more surgical instruments. Such adjustment of a surgeon'sposition and/or repositioning of surgical instruments may reduce asurgeon's efficiency, for example, and may increase the time required tocomplete a surgical procedure, which may lead to potentially increasedpostoperative complications associated with prolonged operating times,for example, or may render a procedure more technically difficult.

In some instances, such as during very precise surgical proceduresinvolving fine structures of the human body, an amount of overhead lightilluminating a surgical area may be increased so as to permit thesurgeon to clearly view the surgical area and to improve surgical safetyby, for example, reducing surgeon error, such as inadvertently cutting,suturing, and/or inadvertently damaging vital anatomical structures.However, in these instances, and others, such an increase in ambientand/or overhead illumination may exacerbate glare produced by surgicalinstruments or create over illumination of the areas surrounding andexternal to the surgical incision. Presence of additional glare may, inturn, require additional repositioning of one or more surgicalinstruments, for example or dimming the lights below acceptable levelsto reduce glare, for example.

In embodiments, use of an illuminating surgical retractor may reduce aneed for ambient surgical lighting, such as overhead lighting, which mayreduce or eliminate glare introduced by overhead and/or ambient surgicallighting as well as reducing shadowing effects. Such reduction, orelimination of glare entirely, may, for example, reduce annoying eyestrain experienced by a surgeon, as well as reduce the need toreposition surgical instruments during surgical procedures, for example.Accordingly, embodiments may bring about a reduction in the timerequired to perform a surgical procedure as well as an increase in asurgeon's comfort and efficiency.

Accordingly, an illuminating surgical retractor may represent anapproach toward reducing glare introduced by various overhead and/orambient surgical lighting systems. In an example embodiment, anilluminating surgical retractor may comprise light emitting diodes(LEDs) and/or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which may serve todiffusely illuminate a surgical field without significant illuminationof surrounding areas. In embodiments, an illuminating surgical retractormay comprise a single control element, positioned near a handle or agrip of the device, which may permit a surgeon to control intensity oflight from, for example, light-emitting diodes. In one implementation,of which many are possible, a surgeon may adjust intensity of light froman illuminating surgical retractor by way of momentarily depressing thesingle control element. Momentarily depressing the single controlelement may adjust intensity of light in one of a plurality ofincremental steps, such as five steps, 10 steps, 12 steps, and so forth.Such step light intensity may benefit a surgeon, and patient, bypermitting the surgeon to precisely control intensity of lightilluminating a surgical field.

In an embodiment, a single control element of an illuminating surgicalretractor may be movable from side-to-side (e.g., left to right), whichmay control the side-to-side placement of illumination incident on asurgical field. Accordingly, a surgeon may be capable of easilymodifying the direction, such as from side-to-side, of lightilluminating the surgical field. In some embodiments, the single controlelement may additionally be movable in a second dimension, perpendicularto a side-to-side direction, which may modify the direction, such astoward the surgeon or away from the surgeon, of light illuminating thesurgical field.

An illuminating surgical device incorporating a single control elementmay therefore permit a surgeon to control intensity of lightilluminating a surgical field as well as to control side-to-side andfront-to-back movement of light illuminating the surgical field. Thus,the surgeon may avoid the need to reposition his or her thumb or finger,for example, to manipulate the surgical device. This may permit asurgeon to remain focused on the surgical area of interest, avoiding theneed to manipulate the surgical device using, for example, multiplefingers and/or a need to reposition one or more fingers on the surgicaldevice without a need to manipulate controls of the surgical device. Useof single control element may assist in maintaining a sterile surgicalenvironment by removing the need to encapsulate multiple controlelements (e.g., separate controls for intensity, side-to-side movement,front-to-back movement, etc.).

In embodiments, illuminating elements, which may comprise approximatelyin the range of 15-30 LEDs, may be affixed in a two-dimensional arrayacross a substrate layer. In particular embodiments, one or more LEDsmay be staggered along a third dimension (e.g., depth) to bring about athree-dimensional array of LEDs. In particular embodiments, atwo-dimensional or three-dimensional array of surface-mounted,side-firing LEDs, such as those obtained from the Nichia Corporation at491 Oka, Kaminaka-Cho, Anan-Shi, TOKUSHIMA 774-8601, Japan, may beutilized. Illuminating elements may generate light comprising a colortemperature of, for example, approximately in the range of 5000 degreesKelvin to 7500 degrees Kelvin. In particular embodiments, illuminatingelements may generate light comprising a lower color temperature, suchas approximately in the range of 3500 degrees Kelvin, which may permit,for example, warming of tissue during a surgical procedure. In otherembodiments illuminating elements may generate light outside of thevisible wavelengths, such as infrared and/or ultraviolet wavelengths. Itshould be noted that a variety of LEDs may be utilized and claimedsubject matter is not limited to any particular type of LED or type ofLED technology.

As will be described in greater detail herein, illuminating elements,such as LEDs, may be arranged anharmonically in a manner that reduces oreliminates a possibility of noticeable and destructive interference orthe over focusing of individual LED elements in the surgical field.Responsive to anharmonic spacing of LED illuminating elements, anillumination area may appear diffuse and uniformly illuminated withoutsignificant variation in light hue, color, intensity, for example.Anharmonic spacing of illuminating elements may give rise to additionalbenefits, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

In embodiments, a spacing layer may be disposed atop a substrate layercomprising an array of two-dimensional illuminating elements, such asLEDs. However, in some embodiments, LEDs may be staggered in a thirddimension, such as depth. A spacing layer may comprise a two-dimensionalarray of orifices, each of which, for example, may accommodate acorresponding illuminating element of an array of two-dimensionalilluminating elements. A spacing layer may additionally accommodate atwo-dimensional array of reflective surfaces, which may serve to directlight from illuminating elements in an approximately upward directionaway from a substrate layer.

In embodiments, a louvered layer may be disposed atop a spacing layer,which may serve to direct light from a reflective surface, for example,towards a surgical field. A louvered layer may include a two-dimensionalarray of individual louvers oriented at angles approximately in therange of 120 degrees to 150 degrees relative to a substantially planarhorizontal surface. However, it should be noted that embodiments ofclaimed subject matter may embrace louvers comprising differingorientations with respect to a blade surface, such as angularorientations of less than 120 degrees and angular orientations ofgreater than 150 degrees, for example. In embodiments, a louvered layermay reduce backscatter, thereby confining an illumination area toencompass a surgical field.

In embodiments, one or more substrate layers, one or more spacinglayers, one or more reflective layers, and one or more louvered layersmay be constructed so as to form a blade, which may then be encapsulatedutilizing a transparent, fluid resistant (e.g., hydrophobic)encapsulant. A transparent encapsulant, as well as reflective layers,louvered layers, and so forth may permit substantially losslesstransmission of illumination from illuminating elements. In a particularembodiment, a transparent encapsulant may have intermixed particleswhich may homogenize light, homogenize a color temperature, and/orprovide diffusion of light for example. Such an encapsulant may, forexample, include a photo luminescent phosphor, such as cerium-dopedyttrium aluminum garnet (CE:YAG) or optically transparent particlescomprising a differing refractive index and a matrix of such as TiO₂,SiO₂, or ZnO, or any combination thereof, for example.

In particular embodiments, many chromophores are possible such asquantum dot particles, which may gain popularity four application inliquid crystal displays. In embodiments, particles small enough to raisean overall refractive index of the matrix (such as less thanapproximately 30 nm or smaller) may be utilized. Larger particles, suchas those greater than approximately 30 nm may not exhibit Rayleighscattering but may, in some embodiments, exhibit Mie scattering. Suchscattering may result in opaque matrices with increased diffusetransmissions, which may bring about a reduction in speculartransmittance, for example. In an embodiment, TiO₂ particles comprisinga radius approximately in the range of 200 nm to 250 nm, for example,comprising an index of refraction approximately in the range of 2.4-2.6,for example, may be utilized as a scatter matrix. In embodiments,zirconia may also be utilized. Although in some embodiments, silica maybe added to higher refractive index matrices to reduce a refractiveindex.

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a surgical retractor in use during asurgical procedure according to an embodiment 100. As shown in FIG. 1A,surgeon's hand 110 may be utilized to operate surgical retractor 120,such as during a surgical procedure, for example, to draw or retract oneor more layers of tissue, for example. Responsive to retraction oflateral and deep layers of tissue, for example, using blade portion 170,surgical field 160 may be exposed, for example, to be viewed by asurgeon, represented by eye 115. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A,manipulation of single control element 140 may permit a surgeon, forexample, to manipulate intensity of illumination 155 incident onsurgical field 160. In addition, manipulation of single control element140 may permit a surgeon to control side-to-side movement (e.g., intoand out of the page) of the illumination of surgical field 160 as wellas to control the front-to-back movement (e.g., in directions to andaway from surgeon's hand 110) of the illumination incident on surgicalfield 160. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, surgical retractor 120 maycomprise battery 130, which may be disposed in a rear volume of thedevice such as beneath an area gripped by surgeon's hand 110.

FIG. 1B is an illustration of a portion of the surgical retractor ofFIG. 1A according to an embodiment 175. In FIG. 1B, single controlelement 140 comprises a circular shape, but may comprise any othersuitable shape, and claimed subject matter is not limited in thisrespect. For example, single control element may comprise an ellipticalor oval shape, a substantially square shape, or a shape that may atleast roughly accord with a portion of a thumb, knuckle, or forefinger,for example, of surgeon's hand 110 of FIG. 1A, for example.

In particular embodiments, single control element 140 may be movable inone or more directions to permit movement of illumination 155, which mayilluminate surgical field 160. For example, movement of single controlelement 140 along a first axis, such as side-to-side direction 141, maybring about movement of illumination 155 along an axis parallel, forexample, to side-to-side direction 141. In one example implementation, aslight movement or nudge of single control element 140 to the right sidemay slowly move illumination 155 towards the right side of surgicalfield 160, for example. Likewise, a slight movement of single controlelement 140 to the left side may slowly move illumination 155 towardsthe left side of the surgical field 160. In embodiments, a largerdisplacement of single control element 140 to the right or to the leftmay bring about more rapid movement of illumination 155 towards acorresponding side of surgical field 160.

In certain embodiments, single control element 140, positioned in frontof battery 130, may be additionally movable along a second axis, such asfront-to-back direction 142, which may bring about movement ofillumination 155 along an axis parallel, for example, to front-to-backdirection 142. In embodiments, the first and second axes may be parallelto one another, although claimed subject matter is not limited in thisrespect. Rather, claimed subject matter is intended to embrace allsingle control elements, which may bring about control over illuminationof the surgical field in a two-dimensional plane. In one exampleimplementation, a slight forward movement or nudge of single controlelement along front-to-back direction 142 may slowly move illumination155 towards a portion surgical field 160 away from surgeon's hand 110.Likewise, a slight movement or nudge of single control element 140 inopposite direction may slowly move illumination 155 towards a portion ofsurgical field 160 more proximate to surgeon's hand 110. In embodiments,a larger displacement of single control element 140 in forward orrearward directions may bring about more rapid movement of illumination155 towards a corresponding portion of surgical field 160.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, depressing single control element 140 maypermit stepped or incremental control over intensity of light emanatingfrom blade 170 of, for example, blade 170 of a surgical retractor. Forexample, depressing single control element 140 a first time may bringabout illumination at a first increment, step, or level. Depressingsingle control element 140 a second time may bring about illumination ata second increment, step, or level. In embodiments, depressing a singlecontrol element an additional number of times may bring about additionalstepping or incrementing of illumination, for example, from a low levelof illumination to a high level of illumination. Upon achieving a highlevel of illumination, depressing a single control element one or moreadditional times may return illumination to a low level of illumination.

In particular embodiments, depressing and sustaining single controlelement 140 in a depressed position may bring about increasedillumination without, for example, depressing single control element 140additional times. At times, a “press and hold” feature, in which holdingsingle control element 140 in a depressed position to bring aboutincremental increases in illumination intensity may permit a surgeon tohold a surgical retractor in a steady, fixed position while adjustingillumination intensity.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general scheme toward constructing a bladeportion of an illuminating surgical device according to an embodiment200. As shown in FIG. 2, blade portion 270, which may be rotated 90degrees clockwise from its orientation in FIG. 1A (170), is shown ascomprising substrate layer 272, spacing layer 274, reflective layer 276,louver layer 278, and louver control layer 279. Blade portion 270 maycomprise additional layers not shown in FIG. 2, and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect. After assembly of substrate,spacing, reflective, louver, and louver control layers, blade portion270 may be encapsulated using a transparent hydrophobic encapsulant thatmay resist materials, such as water-based materials, that may come intocontact with an illuminating surgical device. A transparent hydrophobicencapsulant may protect against, for example, fluids from surgical area160, cleaning solvents and surfactants, and so forth. Transparentencapsulants may be utilized to protect illuminating surgical device 120from additional fluids and/or materials, and claimed subject matter isnot limited in this respect.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing details of the construction of asubstrate, spacing, reflective, and louver layer of an illuminatingsurgical device according to an embodiment 300. Beginning near a bottomportion of FIG. 3, substrate layer 272 may comprise an array, such as atwo-dimensional array, of illuminating elements 273. In an embodiment,illuminating elements 273 may comprise side-firing LEDs, which maygenerate illumination that emanates predominantly from a side, such asthe left-hand side, as shown in FIG. 3. However, it should be noted thatclaimed subject matter is intended to embrace a variety of illuminationsources, such as side firing LEDs, end-firing LEDs, and other LED types,without limitation.

As shown in FIG. 3, certain adjacent pairs of illuminating elements 273of an array of illuminating elements may be separated by a distance of,for example, w₁, and certain other adjacent pairs of illuminatingelements 273 may be separated from one another by a distance of, forexample, w₂. In embodiments, w₂ may be greater than w₁, although otherembodiments may employ differing spacings, such as, for example,spacings in which w₁ may be greater than w₂, for example, and claimedsubject matter is not limited in this respect. In embodiments, suchanharmonic and perhaps three-dimensional spacing (in which certain LEDsdisposed atop a substrate layer 272 may be recessed with respect to oneanother) may be utilized to reduce, or to eliminate, constructive and/ordestructive interference brought about by harmonic spacing ofilluminating elements 273. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, illuminatingelements 273 may be arranged to prevent, for example, occurrence ofn₁λ=n₂λ, in an illumination area, which may give rise to “banding,” orother noticeable areas of non-uniform intensity which may occur withinthe illumination area. To reduce the possibility of banding and/or othernonuniform illumination of an area, inter-element spacing (w₁) between afirst pair of adjacent illuminating elements, which may be representedby n₁λ may be made unequal to inter-element spacing (w₂) between asecond pair of adjacent illuminating elements, which may be representedby n₂λ. It should be noted, however, that claimed subject matter is notlimited to any particular approach toward reducing nonuniformillumination. For example, some embodiments may utilize one or morelight diffusers, one or more homogenizers, etc., and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect. Additionally, in particularembodiments, LEDs of different color temperature and/or wavelength mayprovide intentional non-uniform illumination, for example.

Spacing layer 274, shown as having width “w” in FIG. 3, may compriseorifices 275, which may be machined into a solid material. In anembodiment, orifices 275 may be arranged in an array so as to be placedatop substrate layer 272. In particular embodiments, illuminatingelements 273 may fit within a corresponding orifice. Reflective layer276, comprising an array of reflectors 277, may be placed atop spacinglayer 274 so as to reflect light emanating from illuminating elements273. In embodiments, reflectors 277 may be sloped downwardly from theplane of the reflective layer so as to fit within orifices 275 ofspacing layer 276. In an embodiment, spacing layer 274 and reflectivelayer 276 may be provided as a single layer comprising injection-moldedplastic and may utilize a metal-plated reflective surface.

Louver layer 278 may be affixed atop reflective layer 276, which maydirect light reflected from reflectors 277 toward, for example, surgicalarea 160 of FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 3, louvers 279 may be adjustable,for example, from an orientation of approximately a 135 degree angle(θ₁) relative to the plane of louver layer 278 up to an angle toapproach 165 degrees, 170 degrees, or 175 degrees for example relativeto louver layer 278. Of course, louvers 279 may be adjustable to anorientation approaching 180 degrees with respect to louver layer 278,which may, for example, nearly completely occlude orifices 275 so as topermit very little light to illuminate, for example, surgical area 160of FIG. 1A. It should be noted that, claimed subject matter may embracelouvers adjustable at a variety of angles, such as angles less than 135degrees (e.g., 95 degrees, 105 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees, etc.)with respect to the plane of louver layer 278.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations showing details of the construction ofa louver control layer of an illuminating surgical device according toembodiments 400 and 450. In FIG. 4A (embodiment 400) louver controllayer 280 is shown as incorporating mechanical linkage 281, which maycomprise a Bowden cable, for example, which may branch to a plurality ofsecondary and tertiary mechanical linkages, which may be utilized todraw one or more of louvers 279 from a relatively closed position to arelatively open position. In embodiments, louvers 279 may be biased,such as by way of a spring or other type of tensioner, to a closedposition so as to provide cover to orifices 275. In embodiments, suchbiasing of louvers 279 to a closed position may preclude orifices 275from gathering airborne contaminants, such as dust, for example, orfluid borne contaminants, when the surgical device is not in use.Biasing of louvers 279 to a closed position may bring about additionalbenefits, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

In embodiments, responsive to tension in the direction of arrow 291,mechanical linkage 281 along with secondary and tertiary mechanicallinkages may draw louvers 279 from a substantially closed state to ansubstantially open state, as well as partially-open states between asubstantially closed at a substantially open state, which may permitillumination of a surgical field, such as surgical field 160 of FIG. 1A.In embodiments 400 and 450, mechanical linkage 281 may couple to singlecontrol element 140. Thus, in one implementation, rearward movement ofsingle control element 140 along front-to-back direction 142 may bringabout tension in the direction of arrow 291, thereby at least partiallyopening one or more of louvers 279.

In embodiments, as tension in the direction of arrow 291 is increased,louvers 279 may gradually open from a position that permits only minimalillumination of the surgical field, for example, to a position thatpermits increasing illumination of the surgical field. Thus, forexample, as shown in FIG. 4A (embodiment 400), a first level of tensionin the direction of arrow 291 may open one or more of louvers 279 so asto form an angle θ₁ relative to a plane of louver control layer 280.Likewise, as shown in FIG. 4B (embodiment 450) a second level oftension, which may be indicated by a somewhat smaller arrow in thedirection of 291 may open one or more of louvers 279 so as to form anangle θ₂ relative to the plane of control layer 280. Thus, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, tension conveyed from mechanical linkage 281, alongsecondary and tertiary mechanical linkages, may operate to control adecree to which louvers 279 open and close, which may permit anadjustment in illumination that emanates from an illuminating surgicaldevice.

It should be noted that although FIGS. 4A and 4B have been describedincorporating mechanical linkage 281, alternative embodiments mayutilize different approaches toward modulating, controlling, oradjusting the light generated by, for example, illuminating elements 273to illuminate a surgical field. Accordingly, claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such techniques and approaches toward providingcontrollable illumination of the surgical field. For example, in anembodiment with reference to FIG. 7, one or more stepper motors may beused to provide tension on mechanical linkage 281.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing details of layers of the illuminatingsurgical device of FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B according to an embodiment 500.In FIG. 5, illuminating elements 273 are shown mounted atop substratelayer 272. Although illuminating elements 273 may be illustrated ascomprising side-firing LEDs, claimed subject matter is intended toembrace any light-generating device that may be mounted atop a substratelayer and fitted within an orifice, such as orifice 275. Illuminatingelement 273 is shown adjacent to a wall having a height w, which maycorrespond to a thickness dimension of spacing layer 274 of FIG. 3.Thus, while disposed within the confines of orifice 275, luminous energygenerated by illuminating elements 273 may impinge upon reflectors 277and the undersides of louvers 279 towards an illumination area.

In embodiments, reflectors 277 may be oriented at an angle θ₂, which maybe selected to increase illumination of a target illumination area, suchas a surgical field, for example, without a significant backscatter fromthe top sides of adjacent ones of louvers 279. It is contemplated thatθ₂ may comprise a value approximately in the range of 30 degrees and 50degrees, although in particular embodiments, θ₂ may comprise values lessthan 30 degrees (e.g., 25 degrees, 20 degrees, and so forth) or maycomprise values greater than 50 degrees (e.g., 55 degrees, 60 degrees,and so forth) and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.FIG. 5 additionally indicates a horizontal dimension of w₃, whichcorresponds to a horizontal dimension of illuminating elements 273mounted atop substrate layer 272.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the horizontal dimension of orifice 275(2w₃), which may be formed within spacing layer 274 of FIG. 3, forexample, is shown as comprising twice the horizontal dimension ofilluminating element 273 (w₃). FIG. 5 additionally indicates a lineardimension of louvers 279 as being approximately 1.5 times the horizontaldimension of illuminating elements 273 (1.5w₃). However, selection of alinear dimension of louvers 279, such as, for example, a lineardimension of 1.5 times the horizontal dimension of illuminating elements273 may be selected according to an individual application. Thus, again,the relative dimensions of illuminating element 273, orifice 275, louver279, and so forth, are provided as an illustrative embodiment, andclaimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for a circuit utilized in an illuminatingsurgical device according to an embodiment 600. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, battery 610 and may represent any type of chemical energystorage unit capable of providing sufficient voltage and current tooperate control circuit 620, and LEDs 640, by way of current-limitingresistors 630. In an embodiment, switch 615, may operate in conjunctionwith control circuit 620 to provide a stepped level of control of theillumination provided by LEDs 640. In particular embodiments, controlcircuit 620 may correspond to a single control element, such as singlecontrol element 140, for example, of FIG. 1A. Additionally, LEDs 640 maycorrespond, for example, to illuminating elements 273 of FIG. 3. Thus,in certain embodiments, depressing switch 615 for a brief period maygive rise to control circuit 620 supplying or generating an electricalcurrent, which may flow through output port 622 and through LEDs 640,thereby providing illumination at a first level. In an embodiment, thefirst illumination level may correspond to a relatively low level ofillumination.

In an embodiment, depressing switch 615 for a second brief period maygive rise to control circuit 620 supplying or generating a secondelectrical current, which may flow through output port 624 and throughLEDs 640, thereby providing illumination at a second level. In anembodiment, the second illumination level may correspond to a higherlevel of illumination than the first illumination level. Likewise,depressing switch 615 for third brief period may give rise to controlcircuit 620 supplying or generating a third electrical current, whichmay flow through output port 626 and through LEDs 640, thereby providingillumination at a third level. Accordingly, as may be appreciated,successive momentary closures of switch 615 may give rise to controlcircuit 620 supplying current to one or more of output ports 622, 624,and 626. Although claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect,Table I (below) illustrates one possible mapping of switch closuresversus current signals present at one or more output ports of controlcircuit 620:

TABLE I Switch Closure (615) Current at Signal Port(s) 1 622 2 624 3 6264 622, 624 5 622, 626 6 624, 626 7 622, 624, 626 8 NoneAccordingly, from Table I, it can be seen that seven momentary closuresof switch 615 may result in a corresponding number of current levelspresent at one or more of output ports 622, 624, and a 626 of controlcircuit 620. Further, in an embodiment, and eighth momentary closure ofswitch 615 may return current levels present at output ports 622, 624,and 626 of control circuit 620 to a substantially inactive state(approximately 0.0 mA). After returning control circuit 620 to aninactive state, successive switch closures may, again, bring about apresence of current at one or more of output ports 622, 624, and/or 626,for example. It should be noted that although the example of FIG. 6describes a control circuit having three outputs, which may give rise toseven levels of illumination, claimed subject matter is not limited inthis respect. Rather, claimed subject matter is intended to embracecontrol circuits, such as control circuit 620, which may provide asmaller number of output ports at which current may be supplied, such astwo output ports or fewer, or may provide a larger number of outputports at which current may be supplied, such as five output ports, sevenoutput ports, 10 output ports and so forth.

In a particular embodiment of an illuminated surgical device and controlelement, a Texas Instruments MSP430G microcontroller (available fromTexas Instruments Incorporated having offices at 12500 TI Boulevard,Dallas, Tex. 75243 USA) may be utilized. In one possible embodiment, amicrocontroller may be programmed so as to permit a single controlelement, such as a single mechanical non-toggling switch, to transmit atrigger signal to the controller to step to the next illumination level,such as described hereinabove. In an embodiment, use of amicrocontroller such as the MSP430G may comprise a “sleep” mode, inwhich the microcontroller is powered to an inactive state, without humanintervention, by allowing the device to rest or to remain undisturbedfor a selectable period of time such as approximately 5 min.,approximately 10 min., or other suitable time period, for example. Whilein an inactive state, the device may extinguish illumination emanatingfrom illuminating elements, such as illuminating elements 273.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of an array of louvers of an illuminated surgicalretractor, which may be controllable to permit illumination to becontrolled from side-to-side according to an embodiment 700. In theembodiment of FIG. 7, mechanical linkage 781 may be controlled bystepper motor 720. Responsive to side-to-side movement of a singlecontrol element, such as single control element 140, stepper motor 720may draw louvers 779 in a +y direction. In an embodiment, movement oflouvers 779 in a +y direction may give rise to illumination beams 710shifting in a corresponding (+y) direction. Of course, in lieu ofstepper motor 720, louvers 779 could be controlled via a Bowden cable,such as previously described in reference to FIG. 4A to controlmechanical linkage 281. In a manner similar to the biasing of louvers279 to a relatively closed position, louvers 779 may be biased so thatillumination beams are directed in a slightly leftward (−y) so thatstepper motor 720 need only provide tension in a +y direction in orderto bring about movement of one or more of illumination beams 710.

While there has been illustrated and/or described what are presentlyconsidered to be example features, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the relevant art that various other modifications may be madeand/or equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimedsubject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter withoutdeparting from the central concept(s) described herein. Therefore, it isintended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particularexamples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may alsoinclude all aspects falling within appended claims and/or equivalentsthereof.

The terms, “and”, “or”, and “and/or” as used herein may include avariety of meanings that also are expected to depend at least in partupon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if usedto associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C,here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in theexclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein maybe used to describe any feature, structure, and/or characteristic in thesingular and/or may be used to describe a plurality or some othercombination of features, structures and/or characteristics. Though, itshould be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimedsubject matter is not limited to this example.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical retraction device, comprising: meansfor illuminating a surgical area; means for controlling one or morelouvers proximate to the means for illuminating the surgical area tocontrol placement of the illuminated surgical area along a first axisand a second axis substantially perpendicular to one another; and meansfor stepping, in discrete steps, the intensity of the illumination ofthe surgical area using a single control element to control electriccurrent delivered to the means for illuminating the surgical area. 2.The surgical retraction device of claim 1, wherein the means forcontrolling placement of the illuminated surgical area along the firstaxis comprises a stepper motor to operate to modify the position of theone or more louvers responsive to the movement of the single controlelement.
 3. The surgical retraction device of claim 2, wherein thestepper motor operates to adjust an angle of the one or more louvers ofan array of louvers, with respect to a plane of a two-dimensional arrayof organic light-emitting diodes.
 4. An illuminating surgical device,comprising: a two-dimensional array of illuminating elements to directlight toward a surgical field; and a single control element, to controlintensity of light from the two-dimensional array of illuminatingelements responsive to pressing the single control element, and movablealong a first axis to control at least one louver to control thedirection of the light within the surgical field from thetwo-dimensional array of illuminating elements in a direction parallelto the first axis, wherein the single control element is coupled to oneor more switches, closure of the one or more switches to supply a signalto one or more illuminating elements of the two-dimensional array ofilluminating elements.
 5. The illuminating surgical device of claim 4,wherein the single control element is movable along a second axissubstantially perpendicular to the first axis to control the directionof the light from the two-dimensional array of illuminating elements ina direction parallel to the second axis.
 6. The illuminating surgicaldevice of claim 4, wherein the pressing of the single control element isfollowed by releasing the single control element.
 7. The illuminatingsurgical device of claim 4, wherein the single control element isconfigured to incrementally change intensity of the light from thetwo-dimensional array of illuminating elements responsive to acorresponding number of presses of the single control element.
 8. Theilluminating surgical device of claim 4, wherein the single controlelement is configured to incrementally change intensity of the lightfrom the two-dimensional array of illuminating elements responsive topressing and holding the single control element in place.
 9. Theilluminating surgical device of claim 4, further comprising a circuit toextinguish the illuminating surgical device based, at least in part, oninactivity of the illuminating surgical device over a duration.
 10. Theilluminating surgical device of claim 4, wherein the two-dimensionalarray of illuminating elements comprise organic light-emitting diodes(OLEDs).